(StatePoint) New research reveals that not only has America’s largest generation -- millennials -- become more civically engaged since the pandemic began, but that the time is right for nonprofits and companies to help all Americans see how profoundly they can influence social change.

(StatePoint) Did you know that single-use plastic is a major driver of climate change and is harmful to human health -- even when it’s recycled? According to a new report, leading consumer goods companies are driving the expansion of plastic production. And by doing so, are threatening the global climate and the health and safety of communities around the world.

(StatePoint) The average military spouse moves eight to 12 times in the span of a 20-year military career. Each move results in starting over in the new location and dealing with the struggle of meeting new people, sustaining meaningful employment, and feeling a sense of community in each new location.

(StatePoint) Many people look forward to their retirement for years. However, once it begins, they may find all the newfound free time overwhelming.

(StatePoint) It was August of 2019 when cabaret performer and New Jersey native, Angela Frost, found her summer sidelined by hepatitis A. About a week after she and a group of friends dined out together, she started to feel sick. Her symptoms began like the flu—body aches, loss of appetite, nausea—and then she developed jaundice.

(StatePoint) Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a rare disease that can be passed down from generation to generation within families. This condition causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys, resulting in the kidneys enlarging and losing function over time. Additionally, nearly 50 percent of affected patients over age 60 will experience kidney failure or end stage renal disease (ESRD). The most common form of PKD is Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) which, according to the National Kidney Foundation, accounts for nearly 90 percent of all PKD cases.

(StatePoint) The Peace Corps, established in 1961, partners with communities abroad to develop sustainable solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges at the grassroots level. While all volunteers returned home in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency is working to return to service and is now actively recruiting volunteers of backgrounds historically underrepresented in the organization, including African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans and Asian-Americans.

(StatePoint) When Chad VanCamp, 42, began feeling intense pain in his tailbone whenever he sat down, life changed. Suddenly, his favorite hobbies became unbearable and he began dreading everyday activities that most people wouldn’t think twice about -- car rides, airplane trips and even going out to dinner.

(StatePoint) For lung cancer patients with a certain type of KRAS mutation, a new treatment option is offering new hope.

(StatePoint) More than 34 million Americans are living with diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 90-95 percent of those diagnosed have Type 2 diabetes. With many Americans having deferred medical care since the start of the pandemic, delayed or overdue diabetes diagnoses are expected in the coming months. Experts encourage those living with diabetes and their loved ones to navigate the disease head-on and with confidence.

(StatePoint) As a new school year kicks into gear, make sure your child is ready to safely return to in-person learning and extracurricular activities. This means being on top of routine medical visits and ensuring they are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases (like measles and mumps). While parents may have delayed their children’s vaccinations and preventive care due to the COVID-19 outbreak, medical offices and clinics are taking extra steps to see children safely during this time. Call to schedule an appointment today. And if your child is 12 years or older and hasn’t received their COVID-19 vaccine yet, talk to their doctor about getting it as soon as possible. If your children don’t currently have health insurance, it is not too late to get them covered!

(StatePoint) The nearly 13 million small businesses owned by women nationwide are essential to the U.S. economy. Accounting for 42% of U.S. small businesses, they employ nearly 9.4 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in revenue annually.

(StatePoint) Playtime is not only fun, it can also be an opportunity to teach children important values and help them learn to give back. Here are three ideas for infusing a philanthropic mindset into fun.

(StatePoint) If you haven’t visited your physician since the start of the pandemic, medical experts say that the time is now to book check-ups and screenings for the entire family.

(StatePoint) Navigating the job market is tricky for any job seeker. For transitioning U.S. service members and military spouses, finding one’s professional footing can be even more challenging.

(StatePoint) Do hummingbirds frequently visit your yard? Would you like them to? There are some important things to know in order to protect the safety and promote the health of these beautiful, vibrant visitors.

(StatePoint) Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Yet, according to a recently released report, Black women in the United States face a perfect storm of issues spanning across every aspect of the health care system and society at-large that are causing them to die about 40% more often from breast cancer than white women. Indeed, in some metropolitan areas, the gap can be as high as 74%

(StatePoint) Climate change is making natural disasters more extreme, from extending the duration of disaster seasons to increasing the intensity of fires, storms and floods. Indeed, the U.S. Geological Survey notes that with increasing global surface temperatures, the intensity of storms will likely increase. The agency also predicts coastal flooding to double in the coming decades.

(StatePoint) Many older adults have been delaying preventive health care during the pandemic because of fear of visiting the doctor’s office. As more people get vaccinated for COVID-19, now may be a good time to make up for gaps in care, according to Dr. Gina Conflitti, chief medical officer for Medicare Advantage at Cigna.

(StatePoint) When you quit smoking you can lower your risk for a number of serious health problems, including lung disease, lung cancer and heart disease. But kicking the habit isn’t easy, especially if you’ve smoked for a long time.

(StatePoint) As college students gear up to return to campus, they will have long lists of things they need, or need to take care of, before they leave. One item that might be overlooked is their healthcare.

(StatePoint) Despite significant gains in vaccinations and fighting COVID-19, the rise of the more transmissible Delta variant poses a significant risk for unvaccinated people.

(StatePoint) Employing one in eight adults nationwide, the healthcare industry is vital to the economy and communities across the country. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hit hard, with many Americans avoiding routine and elective care.

(StatePoint) Though it is the most common form of dwarfism, occurring in one out of every 25,000 births, achondroplasia is often misunderstood as a condition only affecting one’s height. Beyond disproportionate short stature, achondroplasia is associated with a number of serious health complications, sometimes resulting in the need for invasive surgeries. What’s more, individuals with achondroplasia have disproportionately short limbs, which impairs functioning and can lead to delayed development of self-care skills.

(StatePoint) As life begins to return to normal, those who suffered financial problems during the COVID-19 pandemic will need to address them, including renters.

(StatePoint) When Velia Martínez was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2005, she was shocked. The joint pain, fatigue and other symptoms she was experiencing made it difficult for her to get up in the mornings, which was frustrating because she had always been an active person.

(StatePoint). The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it a rapid acceleration of telehealth as people looked for ways to access care safely. While technology kept many in the United States connected to care and loved ones, many low-income older adults were left behind by the sudden need to understand and access technology and internet services.

(StatePoint) This season, there is no better place to celebrate a love of music than outdoors. Here are five ways to make it happen:

(StatePoint) A new study reveals that the majority of small business owners and the self-employed share pressing money management struggles.

(StatePoint) Small businesses were hit particularly hard by the pandemic, with nearly 10 million American small businesses closing their doors at least temporarily over the past 15 months. Despite an uncertain economy, small business owners were resilient, creative and agile, shifting their business models to take advantage of e-commerce, many for the first time.

(Statepoint) While there are certain holidays and events each year dedicated to members of the U.S. military, the need to support veterans and active-duty military members and their families is an ongoing effort.

(StatePoint) More than 25 million people in the United States are living with asthma, amounting to about 1 in 13 people. Asthma is a lifelong chronic lung disease that causes difficulty breathing and often limits regular daily activities.

(StatePoint) When it comes to in-store shopping, new data indicates that consumer confidence is on the rise. Experts attribute the confidence in part to a number of innovative technologies that have transformed the shopping experience.